10 Facts About Misaeng

Misaeng lagi... Misaeng lagi..

Gue gak bisa berhenti ngomongin Misaeng sejak K-drama ini gw tonton. Gue ngomongin ini di Facebook, Twitter, Path, LINE, BBM, jam siaran radio program Korea gue, rekomendasiin ke teman-teman, di forum, ditulis pula di blog. Kayaknya kalo ada fan hardcore award,gue harus masuk nominasi. Gak tahu deh kalau ada yang menganggap gue jadinya ganggu abis kek Han Suk Yool. Yang jelas kalau dua postingan kemarin mengenai review dramanya (disini dan disini), sekarang akan gue beberkan fakta-fakta dibalik pembuatannya.

10 Facts About Misaeng 

1. Misaeng Based on Webtoon Series

Misaeng Webtoon on Daum

Kalau di Jepang ada manga, di Korea ada Manwa dan yang sekarang lagi ngetrend adalah Webtoon alias komik yang bisa dibaca via website atau aplikasi smartphone. Misaeng yang ditulis oleh Yoon Tae Ho ini adalah salah satu webtoon yang populer tahun 2012-2013 dengan 1 juta hits. Saat akhirnya Misaeng dibuat dramanya dan menjadi populer, Misaeng versi cetak (manhwa) pun diluncurkan dan berhasil terjual 2 juta copies. Dae..bak!! Katanya gara-gara Misaeng ini jadi lebih banyak perempuan berusia 20-30 tahun yang membeli dan membaca Manhwa. Padahal Misaeng ini jauh dari cerita-cerita romantis ala-ala komik cantik. Misaeng sendiri fokus pada seputar struggle dari Jang Geu Rae di dunia kerja dan tidak menyelipkan kisah percintaan. Gimana mau ada kisah percintaan, naksir aja Jang Geu Rae gak berani bagaimana mau pacaran apalagi cinta segitiga. Hihihi

2. Kim Won Suk Director is a big fan of Misaeng Webtoon

Makanya sejak membaca webtoon Misaeng, Kim Won Suk sudah niat banget mengangkat Misaeng ke layar kaca. Ternyata yang menawari Yoon Tae Ho bukan cuma Kim Won Suk aja, banyak banget. Tapi pada akhirnya Yoon Tae Ho memberikan hak pembuatan Misaeng ke dalam bentuk drama pada Kim Won Suk. Alasannya karena Kim Won Suk janji gak akan memasukkan kisah romance ala tipikal drama Korea yang biasanya dibuat. Dia harus stick to the webtoon, and that's sealed the deal! Misaeng kemudian dijadikan drama highlight TvN untuk anniversary yang ke 8. FYI tambahan, Kim Won Suk adalah salah sutradara di k-drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal, jadi jangan heran yah kalau sinematografinya keren-keren. 

3. Misaeng Pre-Production Took 2 Years 

Dua tahun untuk persiapan sebuah drama? Itu mau bikin film atau drama? Sinetron Indonesia aja cuma seminggu sudah bisa langsung syuting aja (ngambil skenario jiplakan, modifikasi dikit, syuting seadanya pagi siang malam, tayang deh!) Untungnya Kim Won Suk bukan tipe seperti itu. Dia adalah seorang sutradara yang sangat perfeksionis. Scene di Jordan saja memerlukan ribuan kru dan figuran dan peralatan yang biasa dipakai untuk membuat film layar lebar. Misaeng juga merupakan k-drama pertama yang mengambil lokasi syuting di Jordan dan mendapat banyak perhatian masyarakat Amman.

Im Siwan : Jadi kalau beli Kebab yang enak lewat situ ya? 

Sebelum drama sepanjang 20 episode diproduksi di tahun 2014, setahun sebelumnya dirilis prequel Misaeng yang ditayangkan versi web. Ada 6 cuts untuk masing-masing 6 karakter :  Jang Geu Rae, Ahn Young Yi, Jang Baek Gi, Han Suk Yool, Oh Sang Sik dan Kim Dong Shik saat mereka masih muda (atau lebih muda dari versi 2014). Dari 6 pemeran di prequel, hanya Im Siwan yang lanjut berperan sebagai Jang Geu Rae dewasa. Tapi bukan berarti proses castingnya menjadi lebih mudah, karena ternyata banyak aktor dan aktris yang menolak tampil di Misaeng drama. 

4. Everyone Including Im Si Wan Rejected the Role of Jang Geurae At First

Untuk menemukan aktor yang pas memerankan Jang Geu Rae ini susah susah gampang. Setelah mengcasting Lee Sung Min sebagai Oh Sang Sik, Moon Geun Young pun sempat ditawari bermain dalam drama ini. Sayangnya (atau untungnya?) batal. Karena pada akhirnya Kang Sora lah yang terpilih menjadi Ahn Young Yi. Begitu juga dengan karakter Jang Geu Rae. Sang Sutradara maunya aktor yang berkualitas tapi begitu banyak nama yang yang ditawari semuanya menolak, termasuk agency Im Siwan. Padahal Im Siwan sendiri yang memerankan Jang Geu Rae di prequel Misaeng. Selain Im Siwan, aktor Lee Je Hon juga sempat ditawari tapi dia menolak. Duuh Siwan, untungnya kamu yang jadi Geu Rae... Gak kebayang kalo orang lain. Emang sudah rejeki gak bakal kemana ya, Bang... :) *peluk Siwan dari belakang*

Boleh gak ahjumma ini gue crop mukanya ganti dengan foto gue?

5. Lee Sung Min Recommended Im Siwan for Jang Geu Rae Role

Aktor yang pertama kali di kasting sutradara dan langsung menerima tawaran bermain di Misaeng adalah Lee Sung Min. Mereka sudah membicarakan kerjasama ini saat setahun sebelum Misaeng diproduksi. Menurut sang sutradara, akting  Lee Sung Min sangat kuat sekali memerankan karakter Oh Sang Sik, walaupun secara fisik tidak seperti penggambaran di webtoon. Makanya saat kasting peran Jang Geu Rae sang sutradara menginginkan aktor berkualitas yang bisa mengimbangi akting Lee Sung Min sebagai Oh Sang Sik. Sang sutradara pun menerima masukan dari Lee Sung Min sendiri yang mengusulkan agar aktor yang akan memerankan Jang Geu Rae haruslah aktor yang berimej bersih, baik hati, dan ramah. Menurut Lee Sung Min,  Im Siwan sesuai kriteria tersebut.Walaupun sudah sempat ditolak oleh pihak agency Star Empire Entertainment, pada akhirnya Im Siwan secara pribadi menerima tawaran tersebut. Duh Lee Sung Min ahjussi..rekomendasiin gue juga dong jadi pendamping hidup Siwan.. kkkk... *digeplak massa*

Ok, baiklah chajangnim.. Janji yaaa....

Ok siap, chajangnim *makin berbunga-bunga*

Huahhhhuhuhuhuhuhhuhuhu..... Jang Geu Rae, kamu jahat *nangis di rooftop*

...Ini akan menjadi Meme yang panjang jika diteruskan 

6. Ahn Yong Yi (Kang Sora)  and Assistant Manager Ha (Jeon Suk Ho) Were Supposed to Have a Love Line

Misaeng adalah salah satu drama yang mempunyai kisah cinta paling minim dan ini membuatnya menjadi drama yang tidak biasa. Menurut sang sutradara, pada awalnya dia ingin mengembangkan kisah antara Ahn Yong Yi yang sering diperlakukan kasar oleh asisten managernya menjadi kisah cinta. Tapi mungkin karena sudah kadung janji dengan webtoon writer untuk tetap pada dasar cerita Misaeng yang tanpa cinta-cintaan itu akhirnya sutradara mengurungkan niatnya. Selain Ahn Yong Yi dan Asisten Manager Ha yang juga mempunyai kemungkinan kisah cinta adalah karakter Jang Baek Ki dan asisten manager Kang. Kata sang sutradara, jika saja karakter Jang Baek Ki adalah perempuan, bisa jadi dia akan jatuh cinta pada asisten manager Kang. Huahahaha..kalau bener kejadian, kalian setuju gak sih?

Misaeng Couple(s)

7. Casts Call Each Other By Name Role 

Entah berada di dalam atau diluar lokasi syuting, para pemeran Misaeng saling memanggil nama peran mereka masing-masing. Contoh misalnya Im Siwan tetap dipanggil dengan nama Jang Geu Rae atau Lee Sung Min yang tetap dipanggil sebagai Oh chajang atau Park Hae Joon yang tetap dipanggil Chief Chun. Ini bukan karena sok-sokan tapi karena chemistry dan pendalaman peran mereka. Makanya jangan heran jika diluar jam syuting pun sang sutradara masih memanggil Im Siwan dengan nama Jang Geu Rae.

Pesan Lee Sung Min Setelah Menyelesaikan Syuting Terakhir

Malah saking kompaknya antar pemain (khususnya 4 karyawan baru itu), sang sutradara pernah mewanti-wanti mereka agar jangan terlalu akrab karena di episode awal mereka ceritanya masih saling bersaing, khususnya Jang Baek Ki dan Geu Rae. Dasar bandel, mereka masih saja menyempatkan hang out berempat diluar sepengetahuan sang sutradara. Menurut Kang Ha Neul kerjasama yang baik memerlukan keakraban sementara Im Siwan berpendapat tanpa akrab dengan lawan main bagaimana dia bisa perasaan Jang Geu Rae terhadap Jang Baek Ki. Halah! Alasan.. alasan.. Ngumpul aja terus, gak ngajak2 akuuhh... *lari ke rooftop, minum susu basi*

Misaeng Fantastic Four - Tuhan..tolonglah aku dari gaya foto seperti ini.. 

8. Office Location for One International Has Two Places

Lokasi pertama adalah studio buatan yang interiornya dibuat mencontoh design dari kantor Daewoo. Ini adalah kebanyakan syuting dalam kantor One International diambil. Agar kelihatan lebih hidup, bagian jendela dilapisi layar biru untuk diproses secara chroma key menggambarkan suasana lalu lintas dari lantai 15 ( dan juga efek lampu love love halusinasi Jang Geu Rae). Lokasi kedua adalah kantor asli perusahaan Daewoo Group Headquarters. Daewoo adalah salah satu perusahaan terbesar di Korea setelah Hyundai dan sebelum LG dan Samsung. Ini juga merupakan tempat Kang Sora magang untuk pendalaman karakternya sebagai Ahn Young Yi. Sebenarnya untuk membedakan lokasi syuting bisa diliat dari lampu ruangan. Jika lampu di ruangan menyala di jam kerja siang hari, itu berarti mereka syuting di studio buatan. Sementara jika lampunya mati sementara ceritanya mereka sedang kerja di pagi atau siang hari, berarti mereka syuting di Daewoo.

Hasil kerja team CG spesial effect 

Karena aktifitas pekerjaan yang rutin dilakukan Senin - Jumat maka lokasi Daewoo dipergunakan untuk syuting di hari Sabtu-Minggu, adegan rooftop, adegan pantry dan adegan taman saja. Ihh.. jadi pengen maen ke Daewoo. Kali kali aja bisa numpang ngopi di pantry lalu lari ke rooftop. Huahaha

Daewoo Grup HeadQuarter Office, Seoul 

9. Pantry and Rooftop are Two Most Crucial Places For Problem Solving 

Ada 2 tempat penting sekaligus jadi lokasi penyelesaian masalah tanpa masalah ala Misaeng di drama ini. Yang pertama adalah : 

Pantry lantai 15. 

Sambil bikin kopi atau fotokopi tempat ini pas banget buat gosip, curhat atau dipake dengerin orang lagi curhat. Bonus kalo ruangan sebelah ada yang lagi dimarahin bosnya! Hehehe... Yang gue suka dari pantry lantai 15 ini adalah .. coffee makernya! Apalah arti kopi instan sachetan kalau ada coffee maker. Seandainya gue kerja di lantai 15, tiap pagi gue sudah nongkrong bikin kopi disitu (kali aja ketemu Jang Baek Ki). Han Suk Yul aja, anak lantai 16 itu, lebih sering bikin kopi di pantry lantai 15. Alasannya,"Di lantai 16 gak ada coffee maker, tidak ada Ahn Young Yi dan tidak Jang Baek Ki." 

Apalah gue yang hanya punya alasan sederhana supaya bisa  ngelewatin mejanya Jang Geu Rae. Eh wait.. meja Jang Geu Rae itu dekat toilet kali..bukan pantry. Oh well, Salah posisi! 

Rooftop 

Ini adalah lokasi paling juara dengan banyak fungsi. Rooftop ini  paling pas buat marah-marahin bawahan (Oh Sang Sik - Jang Geu Rae dan Asisten Manager Ma - Ahn Young Yi), konsultasi dengan atasan ( Dong Shik daeri - Jang Geu Rae), curhat sesama karyawan ( Oh Sang Sik - Manager Sun - Manager sales team 2), berantem sesama newbie ( Jang Geu Rae - Han Suk Yul), menghukum karyawan baru ( Jang Geu Rae), teriakin atasan padahal atasannya ada di bawah ( Jang Geu Rae), tempat nguping curhatan orang ( Jang Geu Rae), tempat ngegalau sendirian ataupun bareng-bareng ( Jang Geu Rae dan Team Sales 3), tempat makan ramen sendiri atau minum susu basi bareng-bareng dan  tempat ngerokok tapi gak ada satupun yang sempat merokok. Komplit lah tempat ini. Pokoknya kalau ada masalah apapun di kantor, kalau pantry terlalu banyak orang mari kita selesaikan di Rooftop saja!

Memandang Sunset dengan Bos, Romatis atau Bikin Meringis ?

10. “Misaeng” Season 2 Under Consideration

Walaupun endingnya sangat masuk akal dan tidak menggantung namun Misaeng sangat dinanti-nantikan kelanjutannya. Nah, tidak perlu khawatir pemirsa. Kabar gembira untuk kita semua, kini Misaeng ada rencana season 2 nya (dinyanyikan ala iklan ya..). Penulis webtoon Misaeng Yoon Tae Ho bilang kalau scene Jang Geu Rae dan Oh Sang Sik di Jordan adalah preview untuk season 2. Dia juga  memastikan Jang Geu Rae tidak akan menjadi manager atau president, yang dia bisa janjikan adalah ada 3 bagian untuk Misaeng. Bagian pertama adalah perjuangan Jang Geu Rae sebagai karyawan di One International (sudah kita tonton di season ini), bagian kedua nantinya berfokus pada usaha Jang Geu Rae sebelum ke Jordan sementara bagian ketiga adalah Jang Geu Rae mencari jodoh (asik! ada loveline beneran!).Rencananya Misaeng season 2 ini akan dibuat dulu dalam versi webtoon di bulan Maret 2015 sementara dramanya akan menyusul karena plot drama akan mengikuti versi webtoon. Menurut pihak TvN belum ada kepastian kapan syuting untuk season 2 akan dibuat karena proses preproduksi bisa saja memakan waktu dua tahun. Huhuhhuhu..lama amat yak? Apapun, harapan gue sih walaupun ada karakter baru, semoga sutradara, writer-nim dan pemeran intinya masih tetap sama. Gue yakin Misaeng season 2 (dan 3) bakal lebih daebak. What can i say, sama seperti Jang Geu Rae, kemana Oh chajang pergi, aku ikut.. *halah*

Sementara Itu Mari Kita Minum Susu Dulu Di Rooftop

Itulah 10 fakta yang bisa gue rangkum selama proses mendalami karakter gue  menikmati hasil kerja keras team produksi dan para aktor di Misaeng. Sebenarnya ada beberapa hal lagi sih yang sepertinya seru untuk dibahas, cuma gue simpan dulu lah yah di postingan berikutnya. Karena lagi-lagi... seperti juga Misang, the incomplete life, tulisan tentang ini juga masih incomplete post. So, stay tune ya yorobun... Gue tunggu di pantry lantai 15!

Review Drama Korea : MISAENG, an Incomplete Life, Complete Without Love Line

How long have you been watching K-Drama? How many K-Drama have you watched? 

I myself, have been watching  K-drama since 2002 (Autumn Tale) although i stop  a few years after because i found it a bit dull because i often fell asleep in between episodes. Probably because the language, korean language sounded like a lullaby to me sometimes ( until the Ahjumma yell!) , i supposed. More often it's because the story plot and the acting of the casts are terrible. 

The story of a Chaebol who are unbelievably good-looking and self-righteous rich boys falling in love with an ordinary (sometimes noisy) unpretty girl is a common plot for many of Kdrama. From Boys Over Flower , Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, The Heirs,Fated To Love You to Lovely Girl and many..... more. I can't count them all (and i don't watch them all). They said because the story line like that can give the viewers hope ( yeahh right!!!). 

And that's not enough. K-drama also has a plot hate-love relationship such as You're All Surrounded, I Need Romance, Marriage Not Dating, You Who Came From The Star and you probably can mention some more. Even with the action and saeguk genre, there's always a love line story that start with  i-don't-like-you -but-i-see-you-everyday-so-i-think-i'm-falling-in-love-with-you* in the end. Not to mention the second lead male who came along and make the love line triangle. To make it even worse, the ending sometimes is very cheesy just to make everyone happy (except for the second lead male) that i want to scratching the refrigerator.  Arrggh.. I'm so tired of these kind of typical Kdrama.. I wish i can watch something else.

And there it was.. 

MISAENG, Korean Drama Without Love Line

Before Misaeng , I wondered if I would even have a favorite drama of 2014. At first i thought it was just like any k-drama that have been played over the years. I was wrong... 

The story is about Jang Geu Rae, a 26-year old guy who failed as badeuk (Go) player. He gets an incredible chance to become an intern for a big corporation with a help of some CEO. 

The premise i read doesn't match with a picture i saw of  Kang Sora sit by the coffee shop. The thought that crossed my mind was,"Ahh.. so this is the leading actress who will be the centre of the triangle love story". 

And so there i was, postponed to watch Misaeng for about two weeks just because i thought it's just another triangle love story.

And i was wrong.

I was completely wrong 

Sorry writer-nim 

and director-nim

and the web-toon writer

and the casts

..and the crew

“MISAENG” FIRST IMPRESSIONS: IT’S SURPRISINGLY IMPRESSIVE! 

Any new drama is kind of gambling for me whether it would be waste an hour (or more) of my life or not to watch the first episode. Watched first five minutes on the opening, i knew “Misaeng” would be special. The opening scene of the ancient mountain range of Jordan turned into the bustle of Amman city. A dapper young man chasing a guy through crowds, across traffic, and on rooftops takes  the dangerous leap to catch the other guy hooked me along with a voice narrates :

.. Roads are open to everyone, but not everyone can have the roads.

 

and i was like, "What is this? Is this some kind action movie? I thought i played Misaeng, the simple K-drama with comedy about office workers. And who is that fine-good-looking-young-man with confident stare in nice suit? Is he single?"

Jang Geu Rae - 2014, does he look like Tom Cruise ?

Ok, the last question is not related to this review.

That intro sets the stage for the rest of the story which taking us back to the 2012.

MEET THE CHARACTERS OF MISAENG

Jang Geu Rae

He's the lead character of the Misaeng. At first i see Jang Geu Rae character is a person who looks resigned to relinquish his dream of becoming a professional Baduk player. Actually he's not desperate. 

Jang Geu Rae is not lazy, he's not that stupid, he's just happen to be out of luck. His father died when he was in high school and he became the head of the family since then. He works day and night while learning Baduk but he must give up his dream and drop high school. 

He was employed by the small firm after quitting Baduk, but his reputation as a former Baduk player worked against him. Hence the reason why he decided to hide his Baduk playing past.

Culun abis... 

Then one day, Jang Geu Rae was sponsored into the One International by the president of a small firm (where he used to work). That president is acquainted with the Executive Director Choi who will set him on Team Sales 3. 

Unlike other interns contending for full-time positions, Jang Geu Rae only has GED (equivalency exam of high school) on his resume, no impressive work experience and no ability to speak foreign languages. He doesn't even know how to use copy machine. 

A 26 Year Old Boy Who Doesn't Know How To Use Copy Machine

But thanks to his hard efforts and unmatched perseverance he acquired from playing baduk for more than 20 years, he lands a job as a two-year contract worker. Jang Geu Rae who used to consider “Baduk” (“Go” game) as a purpose of his life tries to forget about Baduk. But, in the end, what gives him the key to solving the problems in front of him was, paradoxically, insights that he learned from playing Baduk.

“After all, Baduk does not affect the world.  But Baduk is everything to me….” 

 

Studying Trading Term by the Dictionary Mr. Oh Sak Sik Gave Him

Jang Geu Rae played by Im Siwan is actually an idol-turned-actor. He is a member of not-so-popular-kboyband ZE:A who is  more well-known for his acting projects than his idol activities. 

He’s perhaps one of the few idols who actually give idol-actors a good reputation, inviting praise and compliments instead of the typical hate comments. For this role, i must said that Im Siwan was super convincing as Jang Geu Rae, and I did not, even for a moment, think that this role will play better if it's play by somebody else. 

Even when he isn't saying or doing anything, Im  Siwan was able to capture the allure of Geu Rae so well.

I want a newbie with the face like him in my Office.. 

According to the interview with the Director of Misaeng, it's hard to cast an actor for Jang Geu Rae. They had a thought that they wanted a top class actor for the role of Jang Geu Rae. There are a lot of actors' name mentioned, include Lee Je Hoon. 

Every single actor who's been offered, including Im Siwan, rejected it. Later on, Im Siwan personally said that he wanted to take the role. Im Siwan said it was his agency that rejected the role first, but since he played the prequel of Misaeng as Jang Geu Rae a year before, he knew at that moment that he should take this role no matter what. 

There's a similarity between Jang Geu Rae and himself, he said. If Jang Geu Rae seems hard to fit in his office work, he did feel the same way when he started to join entertainment world.

But not everyone can look as cute as you, Im Siwan-ssi

Whatever it means i think the role is belongs to Im Siwan. Of course, his character would not have been half as good if not for veteran Lee Sung Min who played Oh Sang Sik, Jang Geu Rae's superior.

Oh Sang Sik 

Jang Geu Rae's superior and section chief in the sales team 3, is a dedicated workaholic, flawed but very capable and deserving leader of the division. His callowness with workplace politics makes him an outcast and limits his promotion. 

At first he doesn't like Jang Geu Rae because he doesn't have skill and he join the company by connection. To make it even worse, he heard that the person who get Jang Geu Rae to the company is  none other than the Executive Director Choi. 

Oh Sang Sik has a bad history with Executive Director Choi in the past and that makes him thinks that Executive Director Choi deliberately put Jang Geu Rae in his team, for a reason.

Mr Oh and Jang Geu Rae 

As time goes by Jang Geu Rae shows him his hard work and smart thought, slowly Oh Sang Sik open up his heart to him. He may whine all day long about not having Young Yi as his intern, but in  his heart he's cheering for Geu Rae and proud of him. 

He knows by heart that Jang Geu Rae has potential only he doesn't have college degree to make it to permanent place. He really wants to help Geu Rae but in the same time he afraid he just gives Geu Rae an empty hope and make the same mistake like couple years ago with another intern. 

Ironically opportunity comes from executive director Choi. Oh chajangnim knew there was a purpose behind this opportunity. If he picked it, it can make sure the future of his subordinates but on the other hand if they failed, it can also destroy them. Which one would he choose?

Oh Sang Sik a.k.a Oh chajangnim role played by Lee Sung Min. He's the first actor who accept the role and i give him four thumbs up for his acting. A true genius as Manager Oh, a man who is every inch a symbol of honor and righteousness. 

Lee Sung Min has played many roles in drama, movies and theatre projects. His acting skill helps Im Siwan to play Jang Geu Rae and make a good chemistry between them. The layered and poignant Oh Sang Sik, the stubborn and lovable family man Oh Sang Sik, the anguish of his face, the broken voice of a broken heart of a leader who can't make his sub-ordinate's dream come true. 

That Oh Sang Sik  Lee Sung Min has brought to us. Ahjussi... You did a great job!!

Kim Dong Shik 

He is the assistant manager of the sales team 3 who already working with the Oh chajang long ago. He's comfortable working with the Oh chajang although many say Oh chajang is the leader who could not lift his subordinates career. But for him Oh chajang is a good leader and honor him. 

The arrival of  Jang Geu Rae into the team initially made him a bit hard because Jang Geu Rae does not have any work experience and skill that has to do with the world of trading. Intentions and efforts of Jang Geu Rae to adapt and become part of the team makes Dong Sik  thought about Jang Geu Rae differently. 

Dong Sik wants to get to know Geu Rae better to understand him. And when he actually does, he considers Jang Geu Rae as not only subordinate but also part of the team.

Kim Dae Myung who cast for Kim Dong Shik role is an actor who's been working on several films. Misaeng is his first K-drama, so do not feel left out if you just knew him in Misaeng. Me, too!


The Intern  

They enter One International as an intern earlier than Jang Geu Rae. In contrast to Jang Geu Rae, three of them are the best college graduates with skills.

Ahn Young Yi 

The only female of the Intern. She is a flawless but problematic amateur. She's a bold character who is up to task for anything. Even though she's a rookie, her alertness at dealing with work makes other fellow male colleagues envious of her. 

She's also undebatable. At first initially he considers Geu Rae could not anything. Then he saw the fortitude of Geu Rae who can accept all the bullying from the other intern. Young Yi changed his mind about Geu Rae because he was not discouraged of any of that. 

When she finally sets on another team, she found the hard moments because her new team is not welcome enough to female employee. Little by little Ahn Young Yi understand how Geu Rae feels at the beginning of their internship.

Ahn Young Yi played by Kang So Ra best known for her roles in the top films "Sunny" (2011). She has played several K-drama including Dream High 2 and Doctor Strangers. 

I adore Kang Sora‘s portrayal of Young Yi who smart, talented and skillful employee. She is good at foreign languages, at least the pronunciation and the intonation are good. I didn't expect her that good. Well my mistake, Misaeng is beyond my K-Drama expectation too, by the way..

Jang Baek Gi 

Jang Baek Ki is a three-dimensional character, the image of the elite office worker. I see him as a very stiff character, very serious, and enjoys regularity. 

Jang Baek Gi is also a very ambitious person at work. So when all his efforts are less considered by his Assistant Manager, he felt useless and intend to change job. He thinks he should be rewarded with qualifications and skills that he has.  

Unfortunately to Baek Gi, Jang Geu Rae's work is more recognized than his. Baek Gi secretly envied Geu Rae, not only because of his cold assistant manager like Geu Rae more but he was also jealous because Geu Rae has team who is so care to him.

Jang Baek Ki - The Three Dimensional Employee

Jang Baek Gi played by Kang Ha Neul. He began his career in musical theatre and later shifted to screen, starring in several K dramas and couple of films. 

Misaeng is the first time i watch him on -screen although he's starred in To The Beautiful You, Monstar, Two Weeks, The Heirs and Angel Eyes ( Well, i don't watch those Kdramas). So i can't rely rate his acting skill but i think he's good of portrayed a three-dimensional character like Jang Baek Gi. 

What do you think?

Jang Baek Ki in the real life loves to take Wefie.. 

Han Suk Yool 

He's a guy who as opposed to Geu Rae who doesn't have the qualifications, Young Yi who has the qualifications but has the unfortunate being born as female, or Baek Ki  who only thinks he has the qualifications. 

Han Suk Yool to me is a fun employee who is a little too flattering to the higher-ups and a little too careless in about the boundaries of others.  He is always be in the right time and the right place to find out the latest and hottest news in the office. 

He's like ( NO, HE IS!) the resident gossip and the center-part of spreading the news. That's why he is a little too involved in the business of others. He's kinda annoying, don't you think?

Han Suk Yool’s guide to a successful office life. 

But wait..

Behind his jokes and his cheap laugh, he has his own struggles. Although he looks and acts relatively carefree compared to the rest of the newbies, he actually is quite serious about the work that he does and pretty good at it. 

He also doesn't afraid to front his assistant manager head to head when it comes to he’s being taken advantage of. Through his struggle he learns his own lesson and overcome his own obstacle with a sense of confidence that none of the other newbies have. 

The cheerful Han Suk Yool is a true match for the stolid Jang Geu Rae. And that's what i like about him, even his hair style.

Han Suk Yool can't think clearly without his wacky hair style

Han Suk Yool played by Byun Yo Han. I don't know his work until i watch him in Misaeng. This is actually his first drama after couple of indie films he has starred. 

Although he's kind of newbie in k-dramaland but he's quite steal the show. If it wasn't for how thoughtfully and expressively Han Suk Yool by Byun Yo Han, this character wouldn't be seem so alive. 

I love all the little touches he gives to Suk Yool character. How he annoyed Jang Geu Rae with the way he constantly try to be closer to Geu Rae, The raving maniac that he is, a supportive colleague and physical comedian at the same time. 

Byun Yo Han makes the "dog" Han Suk Yool to be likeable and give his part a great depth to me  the viewers.

REVIEW MISAENG

There are several more casts that i don't think they're beseems as added only. They're not merely just minor characters, they also give hook to the story. Just when I think it will be better, I’m always  punched by a turn of events. 

So,there are some scandals in Misaeng which are nicely wrapped up in an episode or two. Those scandals not only add new characters but also their actions act as a catalyst for major changes in several story lines. And that's amazing for me... 

The writers and the director are very detailed and in the end it's very surprisingly how something you think you have seen is something you haven't. So subtle has it been that if you’re not pay attention, these juicy bits will pass right by you  *No Spoiler, i keep my promise*

Don't Mind Me, I Just Happen to Pass By... Just Keep On Reading. 

So..

Watching Misaeng is like watch the truth of any worker's life. It's a bunch of pieces of the awkwardness, the hardest moment, the happy feeling when you done your job, grumpy bosses, the difficulties that women go through in the office due to marriage, childbirth, and sexual discrimination and harassment. Don't forget how to dream can be reach in one way or another. 

Above of all Misaeng gives hope that relationships in office are not always simply work-related as “work friends”, it can be bond together. To me that's the  love line in Misaeng..

There's no Romance in Misaeng..only Bed Scene 

MISAENG LOVE LINE

Wait..
I thought you said Misaeng is a K-Drama without love line ? Some of you probably ask.

There isn't that kind of romance you normally watch in other k-drama but to say that it doesn't have love line, i must say it's not true. 

Misaeng  is all about relationships and the bound of these character have for each other and for their work. The relationship between Jang Geu Rae and Oh chajangnim, the hug and the support between those "Fantastic Four" newbies, the empty feeling Dong Shik felt after the departure of his original Sales Team 3 member and resign just to joining them again (oh, oops.. am i giving you the spoiler?).

Jang Geu Rae could lost his father and always feel he walk alone, in the end he found the figure of 'the father, the hyung, the brother and sister' what he could say ' a new family'. And it started on the day he lost his father. 

(OMO..... did i give you another spoiler? oops... Sorry!!) Anyway, i think the relationships in “Misaeng” are so varied and yet all incredibly intimate.

I can keep writing and talking and writing and talking about Misaeng over and over  for days, but i won't do that. At least i will writing about Misaeng in different posting later ( Yeah, I will!). 

For the conclusion i must say that if you haven't watch this drama, go watch it!! It's a drama that you rarely seen in K-drama world. You don’t have to stop and think about motivations behind the character, about how certain events complicate others, about how to put it all together. It's just well-written, well-directed and well prepared in details. 

The ending itself is sooooooooo........ reasonable. As in life, everything happens for a reason and that's how nicely the story wrapped without being forced. I love writers-nim for written adaptation of  web-toon story  in to  not so ordinary scenario. And i must thank the director for giving a surprise at the credit title of finale episode.

I really appreciate the director who stick to the webtoon series story line. If he didn't, the story might be end up with love triangle between Jang Geu Rae - Ahn Young Yi - Jang Baek Gi. 

Fortunately he did what he promised to the webtoon series writer and that's makes Misaeng different and loving by many viewers, including me. And if we had to categorize it, Misaeng is a 'Office Drama'. It's like a guide for a newbie or how survive in work kind of genre  (so I recommend this to all my employee friends).  

But there are just so many metaphors that can be applied outside of the workplace and into daily life that even a nice housewife can relate to (take it from Oh Sang Sik's wife or Manager Sun). 

Whatever words left that need to be said, Misaeng is a great piece to end the year on. It's complete without romance (at least for now) and I hope there’s a sequel in 2015! *fingers crossed*

Thank You Misaeng Cast and Crew for make this kind of Drama

I'll end this long review with one of Misaeng OST ( did i tell you, it has a great OST??) that i  made a fanmade MV for it. I'll write about Misaeng more because I'm so not over it yet. After all, Misaeng is Incomplete life and  we are all incomplete lives trying to become complete. That's how Misaeng change my opinion about K-drama. 

What about you? 

Drama Korea Terbaik 2014

Tahun 2014 boleh dikatakan hampir berakhir. dengan sisa sekitar 6 hari lagi. Otomatis sudah tak ada K-drama baru yang akan dirilis, yang ada malah beberapa drama sudah merilis finale episodenya. Jadi bolehlah ya, bahas dikit K-drama di tahun 2014 yang sudah bikin kita (khususnya saya) bersemangat, tertawa, menggerakkan hati kita, terenyuh,kagum, terinspirasi dan pada akhirnya menghibur kita. Dari sekian banyak judul drama dan beragam genre, jika bisa membuat award-award an seperti TV-TV Korea i think these are my nominees for Best K-Drama of 2014.

EXO Berbicara Untuk Pertama Kalinya Tentang Gugatan Kris

Heartbreaking News.. 

Dua minggu setelah berita Wu Yi Fan a.k.a Kris EXO melayangkan surat tuntutan hukum pada SMent di pengadilan Seoul, masih banyak yang bertanya-tanya bahkan berharap-harap cemas berita itu hanya gosip belaka. Bahwa keputusan Kris untuk hengkang dari EXO hanya bersifat sementara dan Kris akan muncul secara mengejutkan di concert solo pertama EXO, Lost Planet In Seoul, menjadi semacam fanfiction belaka setelah EXO menggelar press conference di Seoul, siang ini.

EXO Berbicara Untuk Pertama Kalinya Tentang Gugatan Kris 

"Kami sempat diwawancarai di Cina mengenai situasi ini  dan kami sangat kecewa. Ada banyak kekecewaan dan kami terluka. Karena rumor ini , penggemar EXO menjadi terpecah-belah dan aku marah ada kesalahpahaman ini. Saya berharap tidak ada situasi seperti ini di masa depan dan saya ingin EXO menjadi satu,"kata Lay. 

Chen melanjutkan dengan mengatakan, "Sama seperti bagaimana hujan mengeraskan tanah, kerja sama tim anggota kami juga telah menjadi lebih kuat." *Wah dia follow akun Mario Teguh ya? Sangat super sekali*

  

Gak cukup hanya dengan jawaban seperti itu, Suho sebagai Leader EXO mengatakan, "Pada saat itu, perasaan terbesar adalah kebingungan dan karena konser itu begitu dekat, itu secara psikologis dan fisik sangat sulit dan menyakitkan. Kami lebih mengkhawatirkan  para penggemar daripada konser kami. Kami berharap untuk memberikan performance yang sempurna untuk fans, kami sebutkan dan membahas hal ini banyak. Setelah [kejadian], kami berlatih sangat keras, berharap untuk memberikan performa yang luar biasa."

Membaca komentar Suho gue pengen ngasih dia tepokan. 'Lo lumayan yah sekarang, sudah jago baca skrip jawaban dengan cukup meyakinkan'

Luhan juga memberi komentar, "Pertama-tama, aspek yang paling menyentuh adalah bahwa meskipun ada hanya seminggu sebelum konser, staf bekerja sangat keras untuk membuat performance yang sempurna [untuk konser]."

Chanyeol melanjutkan dengan mengatakan, "Pada awalnya, itu sangat kacau dan membingungkan. Aku paling khawatir tentang performance untuk fans kami. Kami membahas dan berbicara banyak antara member dan kami bahkan lebih berlatih. Karena kami berlatih begitu banyak dan memiliki lebih banyak latihan, ikatan kami semakin kuat. Saya pikir itu adalah bagaimana kita menciptakan performance ini sempurna. Saya yakin bisa mengatakan bahwa Anda akan dapat merasakan kualitas performance kami di konser hari ini. " 

  

Sebagai penutup Baekhyun berkomentar,"Sejujurnya, sulit untuk tiba-tiba mengubah musik dan koreografi, tapi aku merasa seperti direktur kami panggung, penari, manajer, dan staf (paling) menderita. Aku benar-benar ingin berterima kasih kepada staf untuk kerja keras mereka. Mengingat ada hanya seminggu sebelum konser ketika insiden itu terjadi, saya yakin [semua orang] lelah dan letih. Dan aku sangat berterima kasih terhadap semua anggota sangat bekerja begitu rajin. "

Super...super sekali!! 

Gue ngerasa ini adalah jawab ter-scripted dari SM yang paling dikuasai oleh member EXO. Kenapa gue bilang ini ter-scripted? Untuk yang belum pernah ikut press con, saya kasih bocoran yah, sebelum presscon dimulai semua wartawan yang diundang harus mengumpulkan daftar pertanyaan terlebih dahulu. Ini untuk menghindari pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang tidak diinginkan oleh artis maupun managementnya. Selain itu tentu saja agar bisa menjawab pertanyaan itu 'sebagus' mungkin. Untuk itu public relation dari masing-masing artis berperan banget menurut gue. Mereka menyusun jawaban yang membantu imej sang artis tetap terlihat bagus walaupun pertanyaannya mungkin sangat menusuk. Yah seperti kasus ini contohnya. Dari semua komentar dari ke 11 orang itu gak ada satupun yang menyinggung alasan Kris melayangkan surat cerai  tuntutan pada SM Entertainment (baca disini alasannya). Semuanya hanya menyorot Kris yang 'kabur' seminggu sebelum konser dan betapa mereka bekerja keras untuk menutupi ketidakhadiran Kris. Idih!! Belum lagi hampir semua sunbae mereka juga ikut-ikutan menyalahkan Kris dan  ngasih support ke 11 EXO. Member Super Junior Siwon dan Donghae misalnya. Siwon mengupdate twitternya dengan memberi ucapan : "That's right boys, it's only the beginning. It's time to start". Sementara Donghae mengupdate IGnya dengan sebuah video singkatnya bersama Sehun sok lucu-lucuan. Heechul mengungkapkan penyesalannya atas kelakukan Kris di acara TVnya dengan mengatakan,"Kasus Kris dan Hangeng berbeda. Kris sangat tidak bertanggung jawab meninggalkan teman-temannya tanpa pesan sebelum konser. Sungguh sangat membuat mereka kalut dan tidak tahu harus berbuat apa." Oh gosh! See? 

Gue gak yakin ini jawaban dari hati terdalam mereka. Setelah membaca komentar-komentar mereka tiba-tiba perbincangan ini muncul di khayalan gue :

KRIS : Dari semua orang didunia ini yang gue kira bakal menahan gue pergi itu, kalian. Gue gak nyangka ternyata malah KALIAN, You're the first one who turn back your back on me!"

LUHAN : Lo.. lo... yang ninggalin kami tanpa sepatah katapun, disaat big event seperti ini. Lo gak tahu betapa kelimpungannya kita nyariin lo, ngajak lo balik. Lo tau gak sih, kita harus ngerombak semuanya cuma karena lo gak ada. Bayangin gimana situasi yang kami hadapi. Kenapa lo gak ngomong ke gue, Kris.

KRIS : Lo gak ngerti! Lo gak ada diposisi gue. Hanya dengan cara ini gue bisa membuat SM sadar, arti kehadiran gue. Lo emangnya gak merasa tertindas apa selama ini?

SUHO : Well, you got the attention Kris. SM sekarang sadar, the show must go on with or without you. Begitu juga kami. 

CHANYEOL : Ya hyung, if you wanna leave,  kami akan tetap jalan dengan 11 orang saja. 

KRIS : Kalo gitu aku rapopo... 

Loh? hehehehe... 

Sampai disini gue pikir jika fanfiction dibenak gue ini beneran, maka mungkin sebenarnya masalah SM Entertainment pembagian bayarannya kurang tapi lebih ke team work antara mereka belumlah solid. Seberat apapun situasi jika ada teman-teman seperjuangan itu tetap memberi kekuatan untuk terus bertahan. Selalu akan ada tekanan dari pihak yang lebih kuat ( baca: yang hired) namun jika yang ditekan itu kekompakannya kuat selalu ada keputusan terbaik bagi kedua pihak. Jika tidak, seperti inilah jadinya. Apapun yang terjadi  EXO FROM EXOPLANET #1 : Lost Planet akan segera digelar diberbagai kota lain di Asia termasuk juga di Jakarta, Indonesia.Goodbye Kris, Hello.. Jakarta!!!

Daftar Konser EXO From EXOPLANET #1 - The Lost Planet

 The Exo Planet will still spinning even there's one star is missing....

Translate cr : Code_EXO

*Sigh* 

Apa yang sudah terjadi yah terjadilah. It's like once you leap there's no turning back. Gue sih ngerasa sayang banget hal seperti ini terjadi. Gue kecewa Kris sangat keras kepala tapi gue lebih kecewa lagi 11 yang lain gak bisa berbuat apa-apa selain menyalahkan Kris. Well done SM! Usaha kalian untuk meredam pemberitaan 'buruk' berhasil dengan sukses (again). Sekarang Kris bagaikan hilang, tak ada kabar sama sekali. Entah kenapa gue rasa ini pasti ada hubungannya lagi dengan cara SM mengendalikan media agar tak ada pemberitaan tentang Kris yang beredar. And for that lousy comment of how SM trying to contact Kris but he's nowhere to be found, as if Kris is going somewhere out of space. I got a feeling, if Kris' lawsuit lost he has to go back work under SM but won't be as EXO member anymore. He'll be like Kibum's case with Super Junior : busy with solo projects but that he had not left Super Junior. LOL. How busy Kibum nowdays comparing to Siwon? I hope Kris' case  won't be the same.

*tears*

At first i really hope Kris would comeback but then after i read all EXO statements and how happy they seemed after Kris left i hope Kris won't ever comeback to EXO again. Those 11 members are not worth to be friends with. Don't worry Kris. There are  many planets in this entire galaxy to called ' home ' for you. Till we meet again, Kris... Remember :What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger. Fighting!! 

XoXo

V 

(revised on May 28th,2014) 

KE INGGRIS GRATIS ?? MAAAAUUUUU.....

Saya suka traveling, kemana aja. Apalagi kalo gratis ( hihihi..iyah aku pencinta gratisan). Berhubung there's no such thing call "free lunch" in this world, jalan-jalanpun tentunya pake usaha. Nabung, itu cara pertama. Kedua, nebeng dinas luar kantor (selesai bertugas, minta extend buat cuti liburan pakai duit sendiri tentunya.. ). Ketiga, ikut lomba apa aja yang hadiahnya jalan-jalan gratis. Sejauh ini sih belum pernah menang (hahahaha) mungkin belum rejeki atau Allah berpikir pake tabungan gue aja sudah cukup kali (selalu berpikiran positip kekeke). 

Salah satu tempat yang pengen banget saya datangi itu adalah Inggris. Negara ini sudah jadi tujuan cita-cita traveling sejak jaman baca buku Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, Sir Conan Arthur Doyle  sampai jaman JK Rowling. Tapi..tapi... Jauh.. Tapi..tapi... mahal. Tabungannya belum nyampe, hiks! Tapi Alhamdulilah yah.. Allah emang maha tahu banget keinginan hambanya yg  pengen banget ke Inggris tapi tabungan gak nyampe-nyampe juga. Baca di twitter ada dong lomba ngeblog yang hadiahnya jalan-jalan gratis ke Inggris selama 9 hari dari Mister Potato. Tentu saja  saya langsung menuju TKP. Kapan lagi coba? Syaratnya juga gak nyusahin. Cukup nulis alasan kenapa pengen banget ke Inggris. Itu juga sudah sambil ngemil Veetos pula. Gampang dan enak. *nom nom nom* 

Inggris, Jauh di Mata Dekat di Google Map

Eh.. jadi kenapa harus ke Inggris?